To ask how to stop my jeans smelling?

[Ilovenyfan]

HELP! It doesn’t matter how often I wash my jeans, they all dry with a horrible smell.

No other clothes, bedding, towels do, they all smell strongly of detergent. It’s just my jeans. Washed a pair for the second time this week yesterday, this morning I’ve gone in and smelt them on the airer and they smell so bad of foisty/ mustiness. It’s driving me insane as I can’t really wear any of them atm due to this smell.

Anyone had anything similar? How do I stop them from smelling?

How are you drying them? If indoors, they could be taking too long to dry and taking on that umbrella type musty smell.

Outdoors, or in the tumble dryer to get them going a bit.

They aren't drying quickly enough on the airer - can you dry them any other way? Wash them tactically so you can dry them outside (if you have outside space)? Put them on a hanger and hang them in front of an open window?

Can you hang outside on hanger even hung off a chair with plastic sheeting on top if raining?

We don’t have a tumble drier, but will hopefully be getting one soon.

I haven’t tried drying outside but yeh, maybe I should. We got rid of the washing line when we moved in (hate them) but I could put the airer on the patio and peg them onto that I guess.

Will they dry any quicker outside though now the winter’s coming?

Put a cap full of zoflora in the next wash to get rid of the smell.
Don't use fabric softener.
Find a way to dry them more quickly. If you have an airing cupboard with a hot water tank you could put them on a trouser hanger and dry them in there.

They are probably staying damp for too long so it is a stagnant water smell or similar. Especially around the waistband.

If you have any outside area at all then they usually benefit from a blow on the washing line. Then bring them in and finish drying them by an open window and/or in a tumble dryer if you have one.

Yeah that happens when something takes too long to dry. That smell can even stay after the next wash even if dried quicker. I don't know why you'd hate your clothes line. They're brilliant even for a couple of hours on a sunny day in winter. You'll have to find some way of drying them quicker. The airer outside should do it.

Try doing an extra spin at the end of your normal wash cycle to get rid of extra water. Then put on a heated towel rail, heated airer or in direct sunlight. Also Dettol laundry cleanser might help to get rid of the damp smell.

https://www.dettol.co.uk/household-disinfection/laundry/dettol-laundry-cleanser-fresh-cotton-1000-ml/

(Stick the airer outside in the sunshine and they will dry fine. I also put on a hanger so they dry quicker and aren’t folded over)

Thanks all, I’ve put them outside in the sun on the airer, will go round and turn them upside down etc in a couple of hours to try get everywhere dried.

Can’t wait for a tumble drier!

Yes it's the length of time drying, as others have said.

Hang outside to begin with - best during the day for sun (ha!) and wind as that's the best combination. Then inside before the evening dew hits, so that they can finish drying without extra humidity. It'll be easier once you've got your heating on.

Try spinning them an extra couple of times before hanging them to dry.

Why on earth would you get rid of the washing line? You can get a retractable one and put it away between uses. It's the best, and obviously most environmentally friendly, way to dry.

Why do you hate a method of drying clothes that is free and environmentally sound that produces fresh smelling laundry?

You hate washing lines? Never heard anything so ridiculous.
although I hate tumble driers so maybe it’s not.

If they’ve got that fusty smell from drying slowly previously then chances are that the wash now isn’t removing it. I’d soak them in some water and bicarbonate of soda before washing and then dry as quickly as you can.

Drysoon heated airer is good if you don’t have space for a tumble dryer and also for things that can’t be tumbled.

I’m convinced it’s the elastane and polyester in stretch denim that goes grim. Unfortunately it’s surprisingly hard to find 100% cotton jeans in women’s cuts anymore. Nudie and Hiut are your best bet, or Hebtroco if you can get away with men’s jeans (or alter them).

If you absolutely have to dry inside, do it by an open window, that will help

I can't get over the fact you hate washing lines

Wash with white vinegar and get a washing line or rotary if you must although I don't think they circulate air so much, they need a decent wash and some air.

If you use those slime pods, you would be better off with powder as they cause gunk build up.

I hate washing lines too op, can't do with all that hanging and pegging faff.
Only on mumsnet will you get slated for it. 😂
Get a dryer, just make sure you open the windows when using it.

We inherited a tumble drier, and due to the often wet/damp weather where we live, plus frequent slurry spreading at certain times, we do have to use it sometimes (we did use an airer with dehumidifier in the past, but that does create dampness issues in our already prone to damp house). Nothing beats line drying though, I cannot fathom not wanting to have one!

OP I had this when my tumble dryer broke. Now I’ve a new tumble dryer, it doesn’t happen.

If you dislike washing lines (!) get a rotary airer and bring it inside when not in use. Not everything can even be dried in a tumble dryer so you will always have this issue.